"So, where are we?"

Hongjoong looked out over what had to be the roughest and most unnatural seeming biome he had seen on the planet so far. The jagged plateaus underneath them were black as if from igneous rock structures that clashed oddly with the icy planes they had left behind them not too long ago. The deep trenches that led further downwards looked less than attractive to him and had large shadows lurking inside of them.

Most surprisingly, though, the water was warm here. The biome was spiked with hydrothermal rock stacks that had hot heat streaming from the tips. Hongjoong guessed that there were geysers underneath here, too, and they managed to mess up the climate of the planet even more. Upon further investigation, the massive and thin spires had some weird sap oozing from them that Hongjoong had wanted to check out. However, Yunho and Mingi had kept him from it. Apparently, it was not the best idea to near those heated death traps.

Instead, they kept to the canyons and blended with the fish.

"This biome is one of the safest in this area, the Thermal Spires. Most notable in this rather simple biome are the dangers of the spires, the Rock Punchers, and the Cryptosuchus. The Cryptosuchus might act aggressively upon approaching it, while the Rock Punchers-"

Hongjoong interrupted Seonghwa as he turned, his eyebrow raised.

"Do they punch rocks?"

A humorous smile danced around Seonghwa's lips as he tried to keep himself from grinning.

"Yes, they do. How did you know?"

"A fish told me." Hongjoong turned to look up ahead again. They followed Yunho and Mingi through the waters while the aliens watched over them and tried to match their pace. Sometimes their swishing tentacles seemed to disappear all too quickly between the walls.

"There is a vast multitude of resources to mine here. Alterra has a great interest in this biome, as boring as it may be to us."

Hongjoong nearly snorted at this. Gold diggers.

Yet, he reminded himself that Eden was out there and watching over the expedition. Eden would be able to draw conclusions about whether the price of the resources would make up for the time, and human lives getting them would cost.

Hongjoong followed Yunho and Mingi as they dipped deeper. The light that was fastened on Hongjoong's suit shone their way and warned the fish of their presence. They zoomed away quickly, even the larger predators with the many teeth that were around.

"Alterra has a base nearby. It is stationed on an island in the middle of our research field, and it's called Delta Island. We should visit there later to take a break for the evening. From there on, we can easily enter the Purple Vents tomorrow." Yunho slowed down until he was at Hongjoong's side. The man's long webbed fingers slid smoothly through the water as he pushed himself forwards without tiring. When Hongjoong felt one of his tentacles accidentally brush against his leg, he shivered.

"The vents are similar to the spires, if far more dangerous. We will find leviathans there - alive ones - and the stream down there is not only warm but also extremely toxic for humans. We will take good care of you."

Yunho's grin was honest, his sharp teeth losing some of their menaces.

"I sure hope you will," Hongjoong murmured. The waters got darker as they crossed the canyon. The little bulbs on Mingi's tail were their one source of a goal. "because if you didn't, I would have to complain to Seonghwa."

With a chuckle, Yunho glanced at the android. The gaze they shared was mostly impish. Hongjoong could definitely see how San's and Wooyoung's bad influence would ruin the man.

"I have learned not to underestimate him. I've never met a man who was able to kill a Reaper. But then again, most men I know are not aware they exist." Yunho frowned as he lost himself in thought. The little wrinkles on his forehead made the earlier good mood evaporate quickly as both the human and the android remembered how lost Yunho was. Coming here for work, he had given up everything.

They had done some digging while they were still at home. Yunho had had a younger brother and a doting family while Mingi had lived alone with his older brother back on the outpost on Mars. Their cases had been filed as KIA eleven years ago since no traces of any survivors had been found.

Hongjoong had discussed with Seonghwa whether or not they should put Eden on it. The man surely would be able to organise a meeting at least so he wouldn't have to disclose the secrets of what had happened to them. However, since Yunho and Mingi had both agreed on staying out of the public face, they had not. In the end, presuming their loved ones were dead might be easier for the families than getting to know about their cruel fate after a whole decade.

"I pride myself on that, too. I, too, know of few androids who can say that about themselves."

Seonghwa's light tone released Hongjoong from his gnawing worries. At least Seonghwa would be able to keep the conversation going and avoid them all scowling over this planet.

"We once tried to domesticate one starting from birth. We went ahead and stole one of the eggs to bring it up ourselves. It works with some fishes, but not those."

Seonghwa rose his brow.

"Did the mother appear and take her baby back?"

The hidden jab at the unjust prohibition of stealing Snow Stalker cubs did not get undetected by Hongjoong. He sighed.

"No, no, they are very much loners. It's just that they get very snappy and hungry from early on. As much as we tried, the instinct to kill was too prominent in its little head. We had to let it go at last. We don't kill the creatures here if possible, since we do have the conscience of being friends with them, in some odd way."

Hongjoong nodded in understanding. After all, their moral compass was not one of a man-eating monster, but still very much human.

"Did you ever succeed in keeping one as a pet that stayed willingly? As in with the perceiving of a dog or such?" He had never seen them with a pet, so he figured asking wouldn't hurt. However, Yunho's answer again made him regret.

"We did. Manfred was a dear friend until he got eaten by a Stalker."

With a wince, Hongjoong resumed looking at Mingi's tail. Maybe it was time for him to shut up.

"My condolences. I am positive that keeping a pet in these dangerous waters is a feat nobody could easily succeed in. Wooyoung can relate, after all."

That made all three of them snort. Hongjoong giggled into his helmet as he watched their surroundings shift. Instead of the spires, the ocean soon seemed to open up again. They were ascending.

The island wasn't hard to spot. It swam as a huge block of ice and stone in the sea, and Mingi led them right up to it. They continued their chat with Yunho until they arrived close to the water surface and Mingi and Yunho stopped.

"We will meet you in the morning here. We will be around and map out the best route to take. I hope you have a nice rest of the day." Yunho threw a wink in Hongjoong's direction that made the man blush and turn his head away shyly. Yes, he and Seonghwa made no secret out of their relationship, but Hongjoong was yet to completely accustom to the teasing.

"We will. I hope the same for you." Seonghwa cocked his head at the way Yunho's and Mingi's tentacles were mingling with each other and playfully intertwining.

Mingi just gave them a secretive smile before they took off.

Hongjoong resurfaced to the sight of blindingly white snow bathed in the light of a setting sun. As he swam over to climb to shore, some Sky Rays circled over their heads idly.

The island seemed oddly peaceful. The idyll here was different from the calm of the Outpost. Here, the view was far and wide over the ocean and the skies. Hongjoong could spot Alterra constructions at the dock they had arrived at and further up on the island where the base was. They would probably have a spectacular view from there.

Hongjoong climbed onto the metal jetty and waited for his body to adjust to the cool winds while Seonghwa followed. At least the morning rain had creased, and now the sky was clear.

"The construction over there is the communication tower that keeps us connected with Alterra."

Seonghwa smoothly took Hongjoong's hand as they started walking, finally alone. It had been a rough few days since arriving here and always being surrounded by people. Now, Hongjoong felt his heart ease, and stress disappear.

"Doesn't look too trustworthy. Won't a storm take it down?"

"Negative. It has been built to withstand extreme weather conditions. We won't get cut off." Seonghwa smiled warmly at him. Hongjoong figured that was his biggest fear. Being alone here again. He was glad to know himself and his friends safe.

Seonghwa led him around ice structures and large boulders with careful patience. He seemed to know the way already through the data he had shared with San. Hongjoong was satisfied in letting him take over and just appreciating the view of the arctic they had come from in the distance.

"Are there people around?"

"Negative. According to my planners, the crew that is stationed here is touring the Arctic Spires today. You will meet them another time." He sounded apologising, his eyes lowering to the ground. Hongjoong pressed closer to his side.

"That's good. I was looking forward to being alone with you."

Seonghwa shyly hid his grin from Hongjoong's affectionate eyes. At seeing the android embarrassed, Hongjoong's insides warmed. Now that was a way to fight the cold.

They were quiet after that flirty remark. The trek up to the base lasted only about fifteen minutes since Delta Island was not that big to begin with. They arrived at a base that was built securely between some large boulders and with a spectacular view of the arctic and ocean in the back. They unlocked the door just as the sun was setting to step inside.

Hongjoong stripped his equipment off as soon as the rather warm base surrounded them. It was smaller than the Outpost but cosy for the night. It had one break room and two bedrooms, one to the right and one upstairs.

Seonghwa started fixing a coffee for Hongjoong right away while he still wandered around. He took a peek in every one of the clean and orderly rooms, nodding to himself. They had left everything in perfect condition.

Hongjoong was just sitting down at the table in front of a large glass window to unlace his boots when Seonghwa already put a steaming mug down in front of Hongjoong. The human shot him a thankful smile and kicked his shoes off before directing his glance at the arctic. His cold hands wrapped snugly around the cup as the android took a seat opposite of him.

Together they stared out at the ocean. Hongjoong noisily sipped his drink.

When Seonghwa shifted a few minutes later to accommodate his long legs under the table, one of them easily slipped between Hongjoong's thighs to intertwine their feet. Hongjoong gently nudged him without looking up.

Silence wrapped around them like a comforting blanket. For a short while, everything was peaceful, and the ocean outside did not look nearly as deadly as it was.

Then, soft music started playing.

It was an instrumental, just some sweet tunes without any lyrics to get distracted by. They came from Seonghwa's music function that was built into his body, and that Hongjoong had always found comforting in during lonely nights.

After finishing his coffee, Hongjoong looked up at Seonghwa to find him watch Hongjoong with a serene expression. His lips were set in a fond smile that looked pretty on his ageless face. His blue eyes were gleaming with affection even as night slowly fell over them and darkened the corners of the room.

The fair light of an aurora appearing in the sky touched Seonghwa's cheek and made it shine. The greens reflected in his eyes like on a diamond.

"May I ask for a dance?" His low voice was soft. Hongjoong felt all worries melt right off him.

"Of course." Hongjoong's whisper was just as quiet.

Seonghwa stood and brought the cup away. His quiet steps travelled over the floor without much noise, and soon, he came back again. When he halted, Hongjoong lifted his chin to look at the hand that was offered to him. As he took it, he made sure to kiss Seonghwa's slender knuckles first before letting him pull him up and right into his arms.

Seonghwa's arm wrapped around Hongjoong's waist naturally and without much further ado. With his fingertips gently pressing against Hongjoong's skin, he shifted and adjusted their positions until they could sway comfortably. Hongjoong stared up at his beautiful android full of love and adoration, getting the same back when Seonghwa started guiding him through the room.

Hongjoong felt as if he was floating in space, as if the planet and everything on it had disappeared.

There were just two of them: them, and the soft melody of a piano.